Abstract: The issue on basic level agile manufacturing is analyzed, a new way to solve it is put forward, and a kind of intelligent NC machine tool which is suitable for this basic level agile manufacturing is researched and developed. Through AI approaches this machine tool catches information of the workpiece on its own initiative, analyzes and finds the real state of the workpiece automatically, creates machining track in real – time and performs adaptive machining according to the real position and attitude of the workpiece. So it breaks though the traditional machine tools’ many limitations which come from its dependence on precision fixtures and manual setup, and provides a new equipment to improve the responding ability of the manufacturing enterprises in answer to the dynamic variations of the market.

Key words: Agile manufacturing, AI, NC machine tool, Rapid response